Letters to the Editor

Best in Scotland

Sir,

Last week The Arran Banner carried a report from the Labour leader of North Ayrshire Council (NAC) claiming the SNP government plans to cut funding to councils by £424 million next year, with £9.2 million for NAC.

Serving, as I do, on the Scottish Parliament’s cross-party local government and communities committee responsible for scrutinising the local government budget, I simply don’t recognise these figures.

Even Labour’s leader in Scotland claims ‘only’ £327 million. However, Labour refuses to acknowledge the addition to this year’s budget of extra funds such as £120 million for schools, £107 million for health and social care and £150 million in additional capital expenditure.